Whenever I visit my parents house, I love “shopping,” around in search of things my mother probably does not need. Let’s be real, our parents love to hoarder things, from shoes, flower pots, kitchenware, or old bedsheets from when you were a kid in the 90s. This past weekend, I was able to score a wicker basket tray with handles from my mom which she had thrifted. She was using it as a stand for another tray that was placed on her small coffee table. A tray on a tray? You’re wondering? I was thinking the same thing..

I straightforwardly asked my mom if I could have it, and she plainly just said yes. Did I have a vision for this wicker basket tray? Not yet…..Well, not until I saw the Spring 2017 Catalog for Target. I’ve gathered a bit of inspiration from the spring collection, as home interior trends for summer are slowly coming in. From wicker basket textures, to boho, international ethnic bold mono marks. Target, World Market, HomeGoods, and IKEA alike are all over these summer time trends.

After collecting inspiration, I knew the perfect easy DIY for this wicker basket tray. All you need is a little hot glue, and some of my favorite greens. Succulents!

Here’s what you’ll need:

Hot Glue

Wire Pliers

Faux Greenery/Succulents/Air plants

Wicker Basket Tray

Directions:

All I did was break my greenery stems, and plastic air plants and arranged them on opposite sides of the wicker basket.

Cut the plastic greenery using a wire plier. This tool comes so handy, especially when cutting wired floral stems.

Arrange the greenery in a way that suites your liking.
I love adding that natural flow of growth of the greens. Although they are fake, still style the succulent plants in a way that look natural and organic.

Hot glue your greenery securely to the wicker basket.

Nail on wall, and simply hang around your living space!

Enjoy!

Wasn’t that painless? I love simple short DIYs that cause nothing, and take no more than 30mins! It’s literally ready to hang instantly!!!

Thanks to my mom for scoring this wicker basket tray from a thriftstore for under $3!!!!

Since spring sprung, I’ve been bit my countless mosquitos, but also been bit by the garden bug!! I’ve been taken over by the spring air and have the itch of planting, potting, and improving my current backyard situation. That includes becoming the backyard farmer – as I truly am, and catering to my garden boxes, doing some major pruning of the backyard bushes, and weed work. And last but not least, just adding some life of potted decorative plants, and adding some backyard (budget friendly) patio living.

Since Earth Day just passed, I knew this would’ve been a great time to share a recent visit to the most adorable plant & pottery outlet in the East Bay. The Plant And Pottery Outlet in Sunol, CA. Located along the 680 highway from Pleasanton to San Jose, you’ll see this outlet. Every time I pass through, I ALWAYS want to stop at this place! So finally, one Sunday with my boys and my mom, we checked it out!

If you’re into succulents, tropical plants, and air plants, this is the spot for you!! They have wide variety of plants and of course gazillion pots to choose from.

Check this place out if you’re from the Bay Area, or Northern California!! You’ll love it if you’re into plants or fountains or pots.. Oh sister, you’ll be in plant and pottery heaven!!!

You can check them out on YELP!! Give your sista a hello on the Yelp community as I’m a 2017 Yelp Elite!

Say whaaat?! I know! I’m flattered! What can I say….I check-in to A LOT of places!!

Just sign on to Yelp, can add me as a friend on YELP, and you can see all the cool spots I check-into from Sacramento to San Francisco on a normal basis! But I check into a lot of other places too! I like to think of my reviews and pictures a restaurant journal.

As you can see, there are SO many array of succulents and pottery assorts! They even have “broken” pots at a phenomenal discount!! (30%-40%-70% Off!!) I’m not kidding!!! Perfect for DIY projects, that’ll save you nickel and dime.

I suggest coming in with your sneakers, your pocket full of money to spend, grab your wagon, and head over to the Plant and Pottery Outlet in Sunol!!!

This rainy transition of winter turning to spring, has me with a green cactus crafty thumb. Rainy days usually have the family and I stuck in house, only willing to go out, for groceries, or a quick coffee-run. Otherwise, you’ll find us inside, cozy, and crafting.

Here are a few cactus crafts I absolutely LOVE!!!

Pinterest Cactus Pinspiration:

Above are a few crafty cactus crafts I think are so so adorable for words, I had to share!! Take a look at these awesome bloggers and their cactus crafts!

I totally love all four of the above crafts, but below I’ll share one of the 2 I had chosen to do with my children this wintery February. Below, is my rendition of the APreschoolPlaybook’s ‘A Blooming Cactus craft. Let’s get started!

Taking another shade of glue (light colored preferred) have your child use the plastic fork as the brush, and paint strokes on each cactus.

Super easy right? And super cute!!! Stay tuned, as I’ll post the next cacti craft on a separate post! These crafts are perfect to do during a rainy day, or even during the summer, when the weather is hot, and the cacti are blooming.

Every year I tell myself to not spend a lot on Halloween Decor. Keep it low budget!!! Thrift more Tiffany!!! I tell myself this because I know over the years I will eventually have a collection of Halloween decor (trust me, I’ve seen women go all out at Michael’s with loads of stuff, and I’ve seen my moms storage bins for Halloween –I don’t want to be at that level yet.) As a matter of fact, I’d rather spend more for “Harvest” themed fall decor vs. Halloween. The harvest decorations could last all fall season, vs. a one day event. I’ve been purchasing many of my Halloween decorations at the Dollar Tree, flea markets, and thrift stores this year. And I’m so happy I have been!!! It’s become a slight addiction.

CALLING ALL HALLOWEEN MOMS:

AVOID MICHAEL’S CRAFT STORE ALL OF OCTOBER!

> Thrift & DIY<

(You’ll thank me later.)

Over the 4 years we’ve been living out of an apartment, holiday decorations have been one of the main problems when it comes to a storing them and living in a larger home. With many holiday decorations, I like to intertwine it with my typical shabby chic year round home decor. So with that, I’d like to share with you my not so spooky halloween decor chalk art I’ve done over the last few years.

If you are new to my blog, I really love thrifting. Especially for home items. Here, I drew some nice festive chalk art to display on our front porch. I made this chalkboard last year around the same time, and have used it many times for parties. It serves as a forever household decorative item I can always use for everything.

What I Used:

Thrifted Picture Frame ($4.99)

Chalk Paint

Paint Sponge

Acrylic Paint

Chalk

The chalk art was all done by me, inspired by some fall harvest art I spotted on Pinterest.

I styled a pot of succulents which I scored at an Antique fair I attended, paired with it is a gray metallic star pumpkin I purchased from HomeGoods, and our pumpkins. This simple vignette, utilized items I’ve already purchased, and made, creating a nice festive fall welcoming to anyone that approaches my home.

I’ve been thrifting Halloween items all month. I’m too too big with Halloween decorating, but I do like adding a few accent pieces here and there. But of course, every year my collection of “few,” accent pieces grows, and grows. Every upcoming holiday I’m always on the hunt for something unique, low budget, and chic. I’m not trying to break my wallet with holiday decorative pieces, so thrifting for holiday decor is always something fun for me to hunt for. My latest Halloween thrift store score were these really cool skull tea lights each for $0.50!

Here’s an easy quick thrift store transformation on these cool succulent skulls made out of a tea light. Simply, spray paint, and style! These succulent skulls are perfect to place on your mantel, coffee table, or china hutch, to add that touch of spooky spice to your home!

To keep this Halloween decorative project, low budget and fabulously frugal, search for Halloween pieces at thrift stores, garage sales, and flea markets! Also, be sure to check your craft supply stock if you have any existing spray paint or acrylic paint.

I craft a lot with succulents, and have my own small garden of them. So I’m always clipping my succulents from my stash, and using the potting soil, and other gardening supplies I already have on hand.

Directions:

I did a number of coats before the original color of the skull was completely gone.

Set to air dry, OR to speed up the process take a electric fan and set to the highest setting to dry.

Air dry for 1 hour.

Check your painted pieces, and begin styling them with succulents.

Take your plastic shot glass and fill with potting soil. You may have to trim down the cup to have it fit within the tea light.

Completed look!

I placed the tea lights on a black wooden tray which I purchased from Target for $3 (Dollar Spot). The white on black is so chic, and the tea lights used as a succulent planter gives it an alternative use! Try mixing with other Halloween favorites such as a pumpkin tea light I thrifted and spray painted too!

Give your home an edgy look with some serious pizzazz, decorating it with this fully glam high gloss (thrifted) succulent planter!

Meet Tiffany

Bay Area raised Gemini, trying to juggle the life as a stay-at-home mom, a designer, DIY'er, and creative entrepreneur. I find it all challenging, inspiring, discouraging, hopeful, difficult, and wonderful all at the same time!
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